Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Dylan Blujus played for the Buffalo Regals U18 team in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. In 48 games he scored 5 goals with 17 assists and had 36 penalty minutes. Blujus was selected by Brampton in the third round (60th overall) of the 2010 OHL Priority Draft.

2010-11: Blujus skated in 67 games for Brampton in his first OHL season. He was the second-leading scorer amongst Battlaion defensemen with 4 goals and 22 assists and was minus-14 with 26 penalty minutes. Brampton finished third in the Central Division and was swept by Niagara in the first round of the playoffs. Blujus saw limited time in the four game series and was an even plus/minus with no points or penalties.

2011-12: Blujus was an offensive force from his defensive spot for a much-improved Brampton squad. In 66 games with the Battalion he was second on the team with 27 assists and was plus-four with 4 goals and 38 penalty minutes. The Battalion reached the second round of the playoffs and in 8 playoff contests Blujus scored 1 goal with 4 assists and was an even plus/minus with 4 penalty minutes. He was invited to the NHL Draft Combine and ranked 71st amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft.

2012-13: Blujus was the leading scorer amongst defensemen for Brampton, skating in all 68 games for the Battalion in his third OHL season. He scored 2 goals with 27 assists and was -8 with 57 penalty minutes. Brampton finished second to Barrie in the Central Division and lost to Sudbury in a first round series. Blujus scored 2 goals (both on the power play) with 2 assists and had an even plus/minus with 2 penalty minutes in five playoff games.

2013-14: Blujus missed the first 12 games of the season after suffering a knee injury in Tampa Bay’s training camp but bounced back to have an outstanding fourth OHL season. Once again paired with long-time partner Marcus McIvor, he scored 4 goals with 26 assists and was +12 with 56 penalty minutes in 55 regular season games. After re-locating from Brampton to North Bay, the Battalion finished first in the Central Division and reached the OHL Finals against Memorial Cup runner up Guelph. Blujus scored 4 goals with 6 assists and was +1 with 20 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Tampa Bay in May 2014.

2014-15: Blujus skated for Tampa Bay AHL affiliate Syracuse in his first pro season. One of three 20-year-olds on the Crunch blue line, he scored 4 goals with 18 assists and had an even plus/minus with 18 penalty minutes in 67 regular season games. Syracuse finished second to Hartford in the Northeast Division and was swept by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a first-round playoff series. Blujus was -2 with no points and 4 penalty minutes in three playoff games.

Talent Analysis

Blujus is a smart defenseman who falls into the defensive category, but his offensive skills still seem to be taking shape. He plays a heady game that relies more on his reading of the play than on pure physical play. Blujus has a hard, accurate shot and passing skills that make him an effective weapon on the power-play. He could stand to work on his skating and make better use of his large frame.

Future

Blujus made steady progress with Tampa Bay AHL affiliate Syracuse in 2014-15 in his first season of pro hockey. The Lightning have several young defense prospects so Blujus could spend another season with the Crunch in 2015-16. Long-term he projects as an effective two-way NHL defenseman who is responsible in his own end and can contribute to the offensive attack.

Photo: Finnish forward Henri Ikonen is in the midst of a breakout season with the Kingston Frontenacs. The 19-year-old has 11 goals and 24 assists through 22 games. (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

In recent years the Tampa Bay Lightning have shown a willingness to select players from a variety of leagues. Their prospect pool consists of a group of talented Europeans, intriguing NCAA players, and – because most of their recent CHL selections have turned pro – just six players playing junior hockey.

Photo: Richard Panik (14) is one of several talented forwards the Tampa Bay Lightning have in their minor league system. (Minas Panagiotakis/Icon SMI)

It seems that, as a general manager, Steve Yzerman can do no wrong. In his first year as the Tampa Bay Lightning's GM, Yzerman made a number of shrewd moves that helped put the team into the playoffs, and while they finished outside of the playoffs this past season, Yzerman has continued to build a winning system.